[CvrUpYrRmx] MGMT chills and Phoenix blows (In a good way)

By now I am sure we are all a bit sick of MGMT and their face-invading hype train that steamed through 2008. Let’s not even get into the fact that they only have 3 good songs. Instead, let’s get into the fact that TBE has uniquely mellow covers of those 3 songs that breathe fresh life into each.

Knatterjak – Time To Pretend (MGMT Cover)

Knatterjak is Dan McGrath of Buffalo, NY and he has taken Oracular Spectacular’s album opener and turned it into a piece of haunting piano-pop that is more urgent and honest than MGMT ever pulled off. Their isn’t much on this guy’s MySpace besides a Womanizer cover and a couple demos. Let’s hope he doesn’t stop there.

Cleast Eatwood – Electric Feel (MGMT Cover)

As well as having the most-difficult-to-say band name ever (just try to not say Clint Eastwood when you read it) Cleast Eatwood are a fair pair of Swedes who make hushed and minimal pop with a tasty funk side. Their cover of Electric Feel is beautifully simple, nearly a cappella and stopped me in my tracks (key-strokes?) the first time I heard it. I highly recommend their MySpace for two tracks with a little more groove and a great hand-clappiness.

Lady Danville – Kids (MGMT Cover)

Don’t let the bare-bones video or lack of an mp3 fool you, Lady Danville means business when they introduce a Cajon and three-part harmony to this MGMT favorite. This one just gets under your skin and sets up shop like there was no crisis. These guys are always playing in the L.A. are and have some great originals as well. Check out their MySpace and go see them live.

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Phoenix – 1901 (What Kind Of Breeze Do You Blow – E mix)

Those covers too mellow for your ADD sensibilities? Well I’ve got just the cure. If you haven’t already heard, the fab Frenchies of Phoenix have an album coming out in May and have already dropped a few singles. The first, “1901,” is available free at their website and is highly recommended. Here we have a remix of “1901” by one half of the Portland, Maine duo that goes by What Kind Of Breeze Do You Blow. I have heard of people passing wind that smelled like roses, but this dance breeze beats that hands down.